Emart topped in payroll additions among big companies in Korea last 5 yrs

South Korea’s retailer Emart Inc. added most to its payroll over the last five years among the names associated with the nation’s top 30 conglomerates.

According to a study by the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) Wednesday on reports to the Fair Trade Commission from 2012 to 2017, Emart, a grocery chain under Shinsegae Group, newly added 14,246 employees over the period, the largest number among business units with more than 300 workers.

The number of total employees of the big box store unit of Shinsegae Group surged 85 percent from 16,736 in 2012 to 30,982 in 2017. The figure included both full-time and temporary workers, and added employees through mergers and acquisitions.

Starbucks Korea Co., a 50:50 joint venture between global coffee giant Starbucks and Shinsegae Group, ranked second by adding 8,700 to its payroll over the last five years, followed by Hyundai Motor with 7,488, CJ CGV 5,646, Nonghyup Partners 5,270.

By sector, manufacturing industry added the most number of 32,782 jobs over the period, followed by wholesale and retail sector with 28,586 and lodging and dining industry with 11,721. “The government should help companies increase jobs by easing regulations and improving labor flexibility,” the institute said.